Read More

"We're pretty sure people are joining because of the EU referendum result. These people want us to be in the European Union and we're the only party that wholeheartedly supported that.

Wokingham EU referendum vote

Wokingham Borough Council

"The new members I have spoken to, bearing in mind there's been a lot, they are all up for doing things and getting out and campaigning, not just being armchair members."

She added: "We're very pleased to welcome these members but still wish the result of the referendum went the other way.

"But I think it [the surge in membership] is beginning to tail off, I wouldn't expect it to continue in perpitutity."

Cllr Andy Croy, leader of Wokingham Labour Party, believes his party's new members are either Europhiles who signed up after the referendum or people who are eager to vote in the upcoming leadership election.

Read More

He said: "Membership has risen by 35 per cent. We're are absolutely delighted, everyone is always welcome to join.

"The main reason we have seen more people joining is the shock after Brexit, we always see a similar increase after elections when people are angry and frustrated and they want to find a way to make changes and be heard.

Labour councillor Andy Croy

"The other reason is that people want to vote in the impending leadership election, we suspect a lot of people have signed up to support Jeremy Corbyn, but there are also a lot of people who have joined to vote against him."

However, Labour members who joined in the last six months will be barred from voting in the leadership election, if controversial plans are approved by the ruling national executive committee.

Cllr Croy said many new and long-standing party members are "very disappointed" about the plans as they want all newcomers to be able to vote.